Adam Badeau, Grant in peace: from Appomattox to Mount McGregor, a personal memoir

[518] the lowest, the most kindly and the most cleanly in the world. My reception and entertainment has been the most extravagant I have ever known, or even read, of. But as Young will probably give a full description of which you will read not long after receiving this, I will not attempt it. You speak of only receiving two letters from me since my departure from Marseilles! Probably since your last letter you have received two or three others. At all events I have returned all your chapters with letters accompanying, and hope you have received them. I assure you that I am always glad to hear from you even if I do not answer as promptly as I might.

On the 27th of this month we sail for San Francisco. At the end of the first year abroad I was quite homesick, but determined to remain to see every country in Europe at least. Now at the end of twenty-six months I dread going back, and would not if there was a line of steamers between here and Australia. But I shall go to my quiet little home in Galena and remain there until the cold drives me away. Then I will probably go south—possibly to Havana & Mexico—to remain until April. Mrs. Grant, Fred, & Young desire to be specially remembered to you.

Yours Truly,

U. S. Grant. Genl A. Badeau.

Letter no. Fifty-four.

Tokio, Japan, August 25th 1879.

My dear General,—My visit to this interesting country—and abroad—is now drawing to a close. On the 2d of Sept we sail for San Francisco. Our reception and entertainment in Japan has exceeded anything preceding it. Young's account will not be very full until his book comes out because two firms have already pirated his work and advertise cheap editions compiled from his letters to the Herald. Since learning the fact he has written but little for the paper intended for the book.

This is a most beautiful country, and a most interesting people. The progress they have made in their changed civilization within